Hearing Benefit

ELIGIBILITY

Covered members, retirees, and enrolled dependents are eligible for this benefit. 

THE BENEFIT

Covered members, retirees, and enrolled dependents may be reimbursed up to $2,000¹ for the purchase of a hearing aid once every rolling 36 months. This includes charges for fitting and the cost of the hearing aid when recommended by a physician or audiologist. This amount is the total allowance for reimbursement without the per ear limitation. 

The FA Benefit Fund will not pay for repairs to hearing aids, nondurable equipment such as batteries, or appliances or expenses not recommended or approved by a physician or audiologist. 

For enrolled dependents of covered members age 12 and under, the frequency information is once every 24 months, provided the existing hearing aid can no longer compensate for the child’s hearing loss.

¹ Basic Retirees will remain at $1,000 every rolling 36 months.

OBTAINING THE BENEFIT

In order to obtain benefits, download the claim form from the Fund website or call the Fund Office for a claim form and submit along with an Explanation of Benefits from the EMHP’s hospital/medical/surgical Third Party Administrator (currently Empire BlueCross BlueShield). 

All hearing aid claims must be filed within 12 months from the purchase of the hearing aid. The Hearing Aid Benefit is secondary to your or your enrolled dependent’s health plan’s benefit. Only hearing aids covered by that health plan will be covered by the Fund.